York City manager Alan Little backed his players against the 'millionaires' of Fulham.

After the Cottagers' 'theft' of a victory which sent the Minstermen spiralling four places down the Division Two table to 15th, Little displayed true faith in his charges.

Said the City boss: "Overall my team will do for me. I would take my team over Fulham.

"Looking at the two sides today I would go with my players all the way. I cannot say that over the season, but my players today were the better. They had a go.

"I think it shows sometimes that you can pay £1 million for a player and then get another for £50,000 and there's not much difference between them."

Little agreed that there had not been too much excitement served up by either side, but he believed any of the plaudits belonged to his charges.

He added: "We were the livelier. We were the brighter.

"I am disappointed - I have got to be. I am disappointed to lose the game because of a mistake by our goalkeeper. He came fishing for a ball that he never had a right to come for."

City had no option, explained Little, but to plump for a new formation of 4-3-3 forced on them by the lack of wingers and the shortage of personnel. Even the preparations made all week suffered a late hitch when striker Richard Cresswell went down 'ill' before the final training session.

"We've just got to keep battling away."

Fulham manager Ray Wilkins meanwhile agreed his side's performance had been far from entertaining.

"When you pick up a victory you always like to do it with style. But at this stage results are paramount for us."

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